Butter Cream Icing

Everyone loves butter cream icing, but not a lot of persons actually know how to make it well. Today is your lucky day. I’m going to tell you exactly how to make it and some of your favourite flavours.{{more}}

You will need:

1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine (softened)

1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract

4 cups sifted confectioner’s sugar (approximately 1 lb)

Method:

In a large bowl, beat shortening and butter with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry. Gradually add milk; beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.

Chocolate butter cream icing: just add 3/4 cup cocoa (or three 1 oz unsweetened chocolate squares, melted) and 1-2 additional tablespoons milk. Follow the instructions as normal and combine cocoa in mixer and beat until well incorporated.

Lemon butter cream icing: just add 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest and additional lemon juice or milk. Add a pinch of yellow food colouring if you wish for a brighter colour.

Mocha butter cream icing: just add 1 square unsweetened chocolate, (melted) and 1 tablespoon instant coffee. Mix together in batter until thoroughly combined.